Samarkand

Samarkand is not only beautiful but also very important in historical aspect. Samarkand city is the second largest city after its “big brother” Tashkent. Like Tashkent, Samarkand once was the capital of Uzbekistan. Proudly standing right in the center of Uzbekistan, on the left bank of the Zarafshan River, Samarkand generously welcomes everyone wanting to know its unbelievable breathtaking story which takes the beginning in the earliest days of humanity. Samarkand attracts tourists and scientists from all over the world with the stunning architecture, spirit of harmony, quietness and, of course, with many historical riddles and mysteries.

Top sightseeing of Samarkand city

Registan square

The Registan Square is a real gem located in the very heart of the ancient city of Samarkand. It has gained its worldwide fame thanks to the great architectural ensemble that has become a monument of the oriental architecture. From three sides, the square is surrounded with grand madrassah, portals of which are facing the center of the space. All three erections have their own unique décor. It is by virtue of these buildings, preserved on the territory of the city, Samarkand was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001. For more information, click here.

Mausoleum of Amir Temur

One of the most significant architectural ensembles of medieval East – the Gur Emir was built in the southwestern part of Samarkand at the beginning of the XV century. This majestic complex consisted of a khanaka, the madrasah of Muhammad Sultan - grandson of Amir Timur, and, later, tombs of Amir Timur himself and his descendants. For more information, click here.

Shahi Zinda Ensemble

Shakhi Zinda is the burial place of royal persons and nobles. But the main mausoleum from which the necropolis starts seems to be the imaginary grave of Prophet Muhammad's cousin, Kusam ibn Abbas. The complex was called "Shakhi Zinda" that means in Persian "The Living King". He was one of those who preached Islam in that region. Later the Complex became an important pilgrimage centre that was revered by the people as sacred. For more information, click here.

Observatory of Ulugbek

Among historical monuments of Samarkand observatory takes particular place, constructed by Ulugbek in 1428-1429 on one of the hills on height, at the bottom of Chupanata altitude. For more information, click here.

St. Daniel’s Tomb

There is hardly any place in the world is a where Muslim, Christian and Jew come to pray. But this Tomb of the Old Testament Prophet Daniel, also known as Daniiel, or Doniyar. For more information, click here.

Bibi Khanoum Mosque

The majestic blue domes of the Bibi-Khanym Mosque are the unusual sight.It takes one’s breath even from understanding the scale of construction of this monument, impressing with its size and beauty. In antiquity the dome of this mosque was compared with the dome of heaven and the arch of portal – with the Milky Way. For more information, click here.

Siab bazaar

Siab Bazaar is one of the oldest bazaars in Samarkand, situated between the mosque of Bibi Khanum and Shokhi Zinda complex, not far away from the Registan. Since ancient times, it was the center of social life for citizens, there were purchase – sale, national festivities but today Siab bazaar meets customers with abundance of fruits and vegetables, melons and grains. For more information, click here.

CLIMATE IN SAMARKAND

Samarkand features a Mediterranean climate that closely borders on a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and relatively wet, variable winters that alternate periods of warm weather with periods of cold weather. Most of the sparse precipitation is received from December through April. January 2008 was particularly cold, and the temperature dropped to −22 °C